All smiles after bagging $440,000

A Banksia Beach man says he might need “plastic surgery to wipe the smile off his face” after scoring a grin-worthy $440,000 in a Keno draw.

The Moreton Bay resident scored a $448,899 Keno Classic 9 Spot prize in draw 935, drawn on Friday.

The 9 Spot prize marks the second major Keno win to hit the Moreton Bay region this year, following a Deception Bay woman’s $151,946.20 win in January.

“It doesn’t feel real,” the man joked. “I think I checked my winning ticket about 15 times. I didn’t sleep at all that night. Honestly, I laid there until dawn.

“It’s a strange feeling to describe. In your mind, you wonder if you’ve actually won or if you’re dreaming. It’s so surreal.

Celebration

“I haven’t celebrated yet, but I look forward to celebrating with my family!

“I’ve always said, if I win a major jackpot, I’m going to get plastic surgery to wipe the smile off my face! Thank you very much.”

His winning entry was bought at Bribie Island RSL where operations manager Steven Spano said the team was stoked to have sold a major Keno winning entry and were pleased it went to a local patron.

“It’s just awesome! This is the first major Keno winning entry that we’ve had in a long time. I believe our last one was a year or so ago,” he shared.

"So excited"

“Our winner found out on Friday evening and he came in the following morning to confirm with our team. He was shaking, so excited. He said to us, ‘I think I’ve won the jackpot!’.

“On behalf of the entire team at Bribie Island RSL Club, we wish our jackpot winner all the very best. We’re very happy for you and hope the win comes in handy for years to come.”

In 2024, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 76 million wins collectively worth more than $1. billion.

During this time, Keno crowned 23 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $54.9 million. 

Ten of these major winners were Queenslanders, including a Crows Nest man whose favourite numbers scored him $5.5 million.